My First Figures (1/35)

[tommym]

Been just looking and admiring all the great dioramas and figures here on ISM for quite awhile. After watching a few videos, reading tutorials and posts, I decided to give it a go.

The figures I'm using are from the Dragon 105mm Howitzer M2A1 kit.



Here there are partially assembled, drilled, mounted, little filler and sanded.



A coat of Grey Stynylrez primer was airbrushed. Then basecoats of Vallejo Brown Sand were sprayed on the faces and basecoats of Vallejo U.S. Field Drab were sprayed on the bodies.



Next up are the eyes and to actually try painting with a brush

TommyM

[Tiger213]

good luck and keep posting your progress

[SMAddict66]

Go for it Tommy. Really looking forward to seeing how you get on.

Figures are on my "bucket list" but I need to work on my skills on other larger models before I let my incompetence loose on the human form

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Good luck !
Just go for it!

[Mikellesk]

Good luck with your work. Keep posting.

[tommym]

Thanks for the encouragement.

Question: Does it make a difference brush painting if you thin with Ultimate thinner or just water?

Here are the paints and brushes I am using.
Vallejo Model Color WWII Allied set and Vallejo Model Color Face Painting set



The brushes are ZM -01, 02, 03 and 04 with some W & N flats.



Painted the face and eyes with a 01 brush.
I mix 951 White with Burnt Red for the eyes and 950 Black with 921 English Uniform for the pupils. I was trying for a more brownish pupil but it came out very dark. (Next Time)
Then I tried to highlight and shadow with 815 Basic Skintone and 814 Burnt Red. My problem was I didn't thin the paint enough and applied the highlights and shadows wet. So I went back with thin Brown Sand and tried to blend.
Hair is 950 Black.
Helmets are 894 Cam. Olive Green painted with the 03 brush.







Although I have never painted faces before, I am very happy with my results.

Next up are the uniforms.

TommyM

[Avgas]

Wow that's pretty damn good for a first go. I've never done a figure, I hope when I do it turns out half as good as that.

[Vleugelmoer]

I second Avgas, that's one outstanding paint job. I know modelers that don't do half as good and been at it longer so big and an A+ for this one mate.

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Agreed! Job wel done buddy

[Kevthemodeller]

Hay they're great mate. I too am about to start figure painting for a very very long time, I've watched countless "how too's" and I've followed the fly1ngdutchm4n. I'll be assembling, priming and base coating over the next couple days, I'm waiting for AK face painting set I didn't know AV vallejo did a face painting set. Keep going mate I'll follow this with great interest thanks for sharing.

[tommym]

Thanks for the comments

Did just a little to the figures. I had left the bottom of the overcoats off because I was worried about painting the pants. I shouldn't have worried as you really can't see the pants where they are under the overcoats. Slight delay as the Overcoats needed to be refitted, seams filled, sanded, and painted. I painted the hands 876 Brown Sand but they need some shading. They look really light in the pictures. Jackets were painted 874 Tan Earth. I am using the box art and the directions for colors. For the boots it called out for black. I didn't like the way it turned out so I mixed some colors (Didn't keep track of what I used) till I had a brown. Boots were repainted and I tried to add some highlight and shadow. I am thinking of adding mud to them later on. I stuck the heads on for the pictures. Pretty cool.

I having a lotta fun painting these. Next is highlights and shadows on the uniforms









TommyM

[NorthernModeller]

If they are your first figures then ohh my word you have done an awsome job

[Sturm]

Outstanding job for your first figures!
I need to work on my figure painting.

[JET]

Very nice !

[dect69]

Those faces look fantastic! I always struggle with getting figures right but that's brilliant.

[chalkyw]

Looking great so far and I'll follow with interest.......need a few tips being a newbie myself

[tommym]

Thanks y'all for looking and commenting. I really appreciate it.

So by adding a touch of white to the base colors I applied my highlights. Then I added a little black the base colors and applied the shadows. I also used some Ultimate Mud Weathering Wash on the boots.



Here are the figures with the unweathered 105 mm howitzer.



There were some mistakes along the way. I didn’t realize that there were different sets of arms on another sprue. These were for positioning the figures holding the ammo. But even then the hands are not opened enough to actually hold the shells. I haven’t figured out what I am going to put in their arms. That is also a decision I should have made before gluing and painting. There is always next time.
When applying some of the details I spilled some ca glue on one of the figures. This gave it a very shiny spot. So I played around with Ultimate washes Light Dirt, Dark Dirt and Earth on one of the figures in hopes of covering it up and taking the shine off.

It being Memorial Day here in the USA, I wish to thank all who are serving, have served and their families.

These guys are done for now.



TommyM

[Lysus]

Holy cow these look great. First figures? Well done if they were your hundredth, let alone first.